Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has insisted that Lauren James is an “outstanding” player and she is “ready” to play in the World Cup final vs Spain if she is needed.
The 21-year-old Blues attacker grabbed three goals and three assists before she was sent off in the Lionesses’ last-16 win over Nigeria and given a two-match ban for stamping on defender Michelle Alozie.
Having served her punishment during the quarter- and semi-finals, James is back available and primed to reclaim her spot in Wiegman’s starting XI – but she is in competition with replacement Ella Toone, who scored the Lionesses’ opener in their 3-1 last-four victory to eliminate co-hosts Australia.
James’ club boss Hayes said: “I think you know, I’m a manager but picking someone else’s team is not my job. It’s Sarina’s. My job is to enjoy it. Those players are prepared for whatever happens and for whatever team Sarina picks. I’m sure Lauren would be ready.
“Lauren is just very excited to be in a World Cup final as all of the England players are. They are all excited.
“It’s about England as a team and England as a whole and they have all stepped up and filled in, whether that’s Katie Zelem who filled in for Keira Walsh or Ella Toone at least filling in for Lauren James after that quarter-final.
“Lauren is an outstanding player and will go on to contribute many more moments for both club and country. As always she will be reflective and will move forward with that.”
This is England, they are immense and they are in the World Cup final
James, who apologised for the red-card incident on social media, came off the bench in England’s 1-0 Haiti opener to kick-start their undefeated path to the final, then scored the winner against Denmark in her first World Cup start.
She
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